Aww you are the best Nic Nic. Yey for your knee. Great to see the NYSBB (North Yorks Sailing Bongo Band) out on such a wet day! You deserve to be safe and you done the right thing - no guilt required - go you! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you my lovely ❤️ Yes the shame and embarrassment thing is really weird. I know I made the right decision and that it wasn't my fault but the feelings that surround it are so strange. Oh well... Chalked up to experience and onwards and upwards ☺️
I've been following your channel for around 12 months now. I just wanted to say that after everything you've been through, what an amazing lady, and mother you are. A true inspiration to all.
What a lovely comment, thank you so much ❤️ I think if I wasn't positive then I'd be crushed by all the bad stuff. Life is too short for that so positivity wins... And there's always something that can make you smile 🥰
Just wanted to say how proud I was watching this video Nicola. Pushing on and finishing in adverse conditions when not at your best is a grand achievement. Love can make anything messy, but physical abuse can never be excused. I'm sorry that you feel shame and embarrassment, but none of it is your fault. Hope that you're doing OK. Well done for getting out of something toxic, and well done for speaking up about it - you are an inspiration. A biscuit, fudge and a chocolate log is my favourite breakfast too 😂
Thank you so much Rich, yes I can totally see how toxic it was now but love can make you blind and break ups are messy and heartbreaking 💔 I know that it's not my fault but Al told me it was and did a slow hand clap and said "well done, look what you made me do" rather than apologising and it all just really messed with my head. I'm looking forward to 2024 and a new start 🥰
Well done for putting your foot down and ending it straight away, it can be so hard to do. And well done knee for making it all the way round the route. Here’s to 2024 being better in all ways!
Thank you so much... I'm not sure I successfully managed to end it immediately in real life but breakups are messy and difficult, it definitely mentally ended that day, even if walking away was harder than I thought it would be... Or actually probably when Al didn't come over to Ireland in the summer for my 40th birthday like we planned without telling me he wasn't coming. I don't know... It's been rubbish for ages. The important thing is that I've moved on now and that this year is going to be better than the last ❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations on this new marathon! Can't even imagine running a marathon with a cold. Much respect for even attempting that. About the other thing, I am so very sorry. Shame and embarrassment should be felt only by the person who hurt you, never by you. Here's hoping that next year will be much brighter for you.
Thank you, yes it's funny because I know this but afterwards he did a slow hand clap and said "Well done, look what you made me do" rather than apologising 😭😭😭 It's so confusing and was something I never thought would happen
Thank you so much and oh my goodness how was it?! I really hope you enjoyed it. Sometimes it can take a few visits to get it, or to meet the right people or get the right weather. Hopefully you got all of that 🤞❤️
Hi Nicola, been following your channel for a couple of years now. I don't often comment but just want to say I think you are an amazing human being and sending you massive hugs🤗🤗🤗
I don't get to watch many of these but could see the guts and determination you have right through this one from start to finish. You are one heck of a human and great role model for Poppy. So glad you've stood up to the bully - and looking forward to seeing/hearing more of your achievements in 2024!
Thank you so much, it was a hard day at the office but I was so happy to have managed a marathon with no knee pain! 🎉 I definitely needed this boost because breakups are super hard whether you know it's the right thing or not 💔
@@NicolaRuns on a very different scale, I am reminded of smashing out a half-marathon PB not just once, but twice in 3 weeks after a break up many moons ago. Running with purpose is so amazingly cathartic 💛
Awesome video Nicola! Just catching up on your videos....I took a big internet/social media break and missed your content and positivity! Happy times to you and the Popster for 2024! (Oh....and sorry about the obvious....you're one of the great human beings out there...PEACE!)
Hi Nicola, been following your videos for a while so one of those people who feel like I know you even though we’ve only crossed paths briefly at Punk Panthers. Also had to deal with abuse in the past and been heartbroken again this year. It’s amazing how many people are around and understand, you’re never alone. Thanks for sharing everythjng you do! Hopefully see you out on the trails in 2024!
I'm really sorry to hear that, it's all too common isn't it. Which is even more reason to talk about it and call out people who treat others in ways that are unacceptable. It sounds like you might be looking forward to 2024 as much as I am! New year, new start, heartbreak left in 2023! Surround ourselves with people that are better for us going forwards. Wishing you happy new year for tomorrow ❤️
I am so sorry to hear about you and Al, I litterally am speachless. Just shows you never can tell what goes on behind closed doors. You have absolutely done the right thing. Be strong, move on when you are ready and live the fanstastic life you and Poppy deserve.
Thank you, yes it's not been easy. Things haven't been good for a really long time, Al is under a lot of pressure with some legal stuff he needs to sort out. Hopefully everything will be okay for him. Nothing excuses what he did but I'm just saying that yes, you definitely don't know what's going on for people. I never ever thought Al was like this, it's been a massive heartbreaking shock to find out and it's really messed with my head. I feel like I don't know who I was with the past 3.5 years. I really hope he learns from this but I worry he won't as apparently he's done the same to previous partners 💔 Onwards and upwards, to 2024 and all of the amazing opportunities it holds! ❤️
Well done Nicola, so sorry that you've had such a rough time lately, what a great boost to have completed your marathon with no knee pain, onwards and upwards,
Thank you so much, I know in my heart you're right but Al told me it was my fault... Afterwards he did a slow hand clap and said "look what you made me do" rather than apologising 💔 it's all been really difficult to process. Breakups suck, even when they absolutely need to happen.
Thank you ❤️ life has it's ups and downs. I'm concentrating on the fact that it says nothing about me and everything about him. It's been a tough time though that's for sure! I'm happy now I am out of it and can see what it was. It should have ended a very long time ago! 💔
Merry Christmas Nicola, hope you Al and Poppy have a fantastic Christmas 🎅 🎄 another wonderful video along with all the others you’ve uploaded in 2023. Thank you for sharing your adventures and here’s to many more in 2024.
Oh I did, how did I miss that, sorry for what’s happened and for my mistake. Feel really bad now. 🙁Take care Nicola and you and Poppy have a fantastic day 🎅
Oh no , im so sorry that happened to you , how awful as if you havent been through enough . Just try to have the best christmas you can for yourself and Poppy . Im so grateful for all your fun videos this year , lots of love from ireland , come back anytime .
Thank you so much, yeah it's not been great but onwards and upwards. It was a double whammy really because I got injured. I'm thankful to be back running and I'm grateful to have the running community and friends and family 🥰 here's to 2024 ☺️
Thank you for a great video, I've not yet run a Grim Event but 2024 is just around the corner. Lots of miles done on that stretch of the canal though :) Thank you more so for sharing your journey with us, with all the ups and downs. Your upbeat attitude and ever present smile bring sunshine into days even if the rain is falling and those around us don't match up to what we hope for. Wishing you and Poppy a Happy Christmas - and a awesome start to the new year.
@@NicolaRuns I've not pulled the trigger yet, but they do events on Saturday's unlike many other event organisers so just need to find one in a gap and get it booked. 👍
What a determined effort under adverse conditions. I thought that I was hardcore because I run in bad weather a couple of times a year, but ‘it’s grim up north’ is on another level. Sorry to hear about your break up, stay strong. I hope that you and Poppy have a brilliant Christmas.
Thank you so much 😊 Oh my goodness one of the Punk Panther races I did... I think it was 65 miles, was the worst! I was heavy rain for hours and hours and it's the closest I've ever been to dropping out just because I wasn't enjoying it. Luckily I didn't give up and ended up loving it! 😃
Hi Nicola, sorry to hear you've had such a bad time recently, so sending best Christmas wishes. And you've inspired me to enter the New Forest Marathon (September, so plenty of time to train) something I've been umming and ahhing about because of a long standing injury - which I think is more mental than physical! Oh, and another great video, too!
Yeah thanks, it's not been great. Plus being injured was a double whammy! But onwards and upwards. Oh that's awesome! I'm excited for you. Hope your training goes well 😃
Wow what an accomplishment! When I started to watch I thought your cold was going to get the best of you. Glad the weather got better and things got easier. I think you've run this course before? I seem to recall you running this marathon course before? It definitely looked pretty but I would be worried about falling into the canal. That is awesome that they had veggie sausages at the end. I don't think very many US based races offer that. Things are definitely different in the UK from what I can tell about offerings for vegans and vegetarians. I also love Coke but not sure I could stomach it mid race. Definitely post race... nectar of the gods as far as I am concerned. Loved the video and your candidness at the end. Wishing you and Poppy the best in 2024
Thank you, yes you have a very good memory! I ran the Spring Canal Canter where they use the same course 😃 it's a bit of a different feeling in winter 🤣🌧️🌧️🌧️ I'm so thankful that there is a veggie option afterwards. I remember coming to the US and being offered an empty burger bun as the veggie option 😂😂😂😂😂
In so many ways are you courageous: loss, lonliness, physical challenge, and violence - you have overcome them all, kept moving forward, and perhaps by sharing, you have inspired someone else to escape a bad relationship. Is there anything you can't manage? Oh yeah - cows! 😅
Thank you so much John. Al wasn't always like this, just once and it came out of the blue... But once is one too many times! Obviously it was devastating but what can you do but learn from it and move on 🤷🏻♀️ I properly laughed at Oh yeah - cows 🤣🤣🤣 It's funny because it's true! 🤣🤣🤣 😱😱😱🐄🐮🐄🐮🐄😱😱😱
Firstly wow, a marathon with a stinky cold .. And your knee 🎉.. As to the horrid episode.. I feel incredibly angry on your behalf, it's never ever OK to hurt another soul and those that do so are incredibly flawed humans, sadly it does happen and yes one is left bewildered and querying and it is all too easy to go what if I hadn't said, done etc but it is only ever the fault of the abuser.. Time really really is a great healer (clichés are truisms) you deserve only the best xxx wishing you so much joy to come and for now, much peace and self belief, happy Christmas to you and poppy and thankyou so much for keeping me running at times when my own mojo melts x
Thank you so much for such a lovely message. Very wise words and I'll try to listen to them ❤️ And you're right, time is the answer and I can't wait to be in 2024 as I really feel I need a fresh start ❤️
Nicola, I am so sorry you are going through so much at the moment but I am glad you were able to get out of the relationship! Well done on the marathon and I wish you and Poppy a wonderful Christmas and New Year ❤
Thank you so much, it's all on the up now! It's been super tough but... A marathon with no knee pain 🎉 Time which heals a broken heart 🎉 No gaslighting and abuse anymore 🎉 New year with new goals and things to get excited about! 🎉 Sometimes being an eternal optimist can be a really bad thing. I just always believed things would get better 🤷🏻♀️ It took things getting really bad before I knew I needed to get out of it and now I look back I feel really silly for not leaving sooner. It was an extremely toxic relationship 💔 Onwards and upwards ❤️😃❤️
@NicolaRuns I completely understand this! When I wrote my initial message I thought about putting something like "stay positive" or something along those lines but I didnt because although I do not know you personally, you always seem so positive and upbeat but sometimes it is okay to not be that person and to reflect on what is really happening and to feel down about thing. It helps us deal better with what is really happening. You have a lot of exciting things to look forward to and I am so glad you have pain free running to help with clarity and mental health 🙌 it really is the best medicine. You really seem like such an amazing and wonderful person, and I wish you nothing but happiness and love ❤️
@@TheShazzawebb thank you, these are very wise and lovely words and I really appreciate them 💓 Ironic isn't it?! Being positive and optimistic can keep you in a really crap situation 🙈 I've learnt a lot to take forward though 🤗 Thank you so much for your kind words 🥰
Brill video again, so sorry to hear about your split but you did the right thing, no one needs that in life!!! Was really shocked. Hope you and Pops have a wonderful xmas and new year, just time to move on, much love xxx
Thank you so much my lovely. Yes it was a total shock. Al is under a lot of pressure. He's on bail at the moment so is very very stressed and has so much going on. He really needs his sentencing hearing to be over so that he can get himself in a better place. I'm worried about him but it doesn't excuse his behaviour. He is a very toxic human but I needed to be out of it before I could see it. Obviously I still have a lot of love for him. It's all very difficult and confusing and heartbreaking 💔 I can't wait for the new year, you're right, I need a new start
Bless you darlin hope things improve for him and he gets in a better place, all best wishes for 2024, someone else will be around the corner, someone who deserves you xx
The Grim branding was certainly on point for this event! I also broke up with my long term partner a couple of months ago. I can't really imagine how frightening your experience must have been though. Focusing on self care and cherishing other social connections are my aims for the near future. Along with eating some cake 🙂
Inspirational, not just what you did on the canal but removing yourself from a situation from your ex partner you should never have been in. Shame and embarrassment is on them. Over time when you start to heal I hope you realise how strong you were and feel pride in that. Keep up the good work on the channel and in life generally. If we were all a bit more Nic Nic the world would be a better place.
Thank you so much. This is such a lovely comment, I'll try to take all that on board 🤗 It's not been a good few months, I've definitely struggled but I am excited for 2024 to be a new chapter 😃
@@NicolaRuns absolutely. 2024 is your year for you doing what you want to do with people you want to be with. Life is too short. Explore, Experience, Enjoy (and video it for us who can't be with you 😁)
Well done on achieving an amazing marathon when you had a cold. You showed your determination after many difficult this is inspiring and well done you should be proud of yourself. Have you ever run an abroad marathon and what your favourite food to eat in a marathon
Thank you so much 🤗 I've only done Cologne marathon on a club trip but loved it! Ooh... Favourite food is probably Cadburys chocolate 🤣 it's not practical though 🤣
Hey Nic, Great video, as normal. I love the name of this run. You sound a little breathy. Ah! Its because you have a cold! Love the 'Amazing' after Starter Steve. You will smash the five in five!! I love arm sleeves. Did you find out what that loud bang was? Juggling all the way!!! WOW!!! and just as I wondered what was on his head, you said it was a tiger! Glad that you are feeling a little better. What pod did you put on? Stu would love it, if it was RiBS, lol. You are making a training run look easy, especially with a dodgy knee. Cake is awesome!! Well Done NIC!!!! That was such a ill sounding 'thank you'! Oh Nic!! I'm so sorry to hear that! You are such an amazing person and a wonderful friend. Have a very Merry Christmas Nic!!!
💔 Do you think the moral of the story is never to trust anyone who needs to win the parkrace? 😉 I don’t really mean to make light of it. This is further proof that you are an incredibly strong woman. It must be so hard to get out of a situation like that, but so necessary. I hope this hasn’t spoilt the wonderful things you did in 2023, but I also hope the New Year brings better things for you. You deserve them. Love to you and to Poppy. 💛💛
Penny this made me laugh so much! Thank you ❤️ I think that's the exact moral! 😂😂😂 It totally hasn't spoiled 2023's adventures. It probably made them better as I paid for Al to come on 2 of our holidays and he didn't come. He then didn't bother coming to visit us in Ireland for my 40th birthday, or bother getting me a present or doing anything nice for me when we got back. He just kept saying things like "What sort of person would leave their partner for 3 months?" 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ I'm thankful that he didn't come on any of our adventures as that would have definitely spoilt them with his negativity. As it is it was just me and my girl exploring the world and that makes me happy and proud ❤️ The breakup has been really difficult as although things were crap then it still came out of the blue as I never thought for a second that Al would get physically aggressive. It really messed with my head but time is a great healer. I just hope it doesn't effect my ability to trust people going forwards 🤞
@@NicolaRuns I’m glad you thought it was funny - I was a bit worried saying it on social media to someone I don’t really know. What you’re describing sounds like coercive control - toxic AF. Keep on walking. I too hope it doesn’t affect your ability to trust other people - but at least you know you can trust yourself to get out if it’s bad. 💛
Lovely lovely Nic - what a fab video! I would love to do a marathon someday, maybe for 26th birthday coming up in 2024?! The ‘other thing’ sucks, and I really want you to know how much I respect you for leaving. I’m not going to get into it but there have been situations in my life where I haven’t been good at setting or sustaining boundaries, and having people modelling that is amazing. You should have NO shame or embarrassment - relationships are all about getting to know people deeply, and sometimes that hurts or you discover things you don’t like. Love just hurts sometimes. As an aside, I want you also to know how much your vlogs, pods, grams and general positivity improves my life. Recently I’ve found myself thinking ‘what would Nicola think about this?’ whenever I’m in a particularly beautiful place or want to see the best in something. You are wonderful at bringing out the joy in the little things, and even just to ‘know ‘you over the internet has made me a more positive person. Sending love and good thoughts to you and Poppy for a fantastic 2024! Xx
Oh Olivia, this is such a lovely comment it made me cry 😢 but in a sort of happy, sad, lovely way. It's been really tough as after Al got physical he did a slow hand clap and said in a really horrible way "Well done, look what you made me do" and whilst I know it's all nonsense and just his manipulation/gaslighting of me, it really did effect me mentally. Mainly because nobody has ever been close to treating me as badly as Al did and it just didn't make any sense to my brain. I am an eternal optimist and I think that let me down in that relationship. I kept thinking that things would change and that he'd wake up and want to try to work together and make things better. In a way I'm glad he snapped and showed his true colours as the rest of his toxic behaviour wasn't quite enough to make me realise that I needed to get out of it. I still have a lot of love for him which confuses me but I think it's natural and that breakups are hard 🤷🏻♀️ I've really tried to focus on carrying on having adventures, although taking Poppy to Pont-y-Bala was one of them and was a total disaster 😂😂😂 Life isn't always smooth sailing hey?! I definitely think its worth taking a moment to see the best in things, it is so good for your soul ❤️ Life is so exciting if you let it be, and if you appreciate the small things and don't follow the "rules" of what is expected of adults. I don't know whose idea it was that adults should be sensible?! Poppy teaches me a lot about how to have fun and live in the moment. Thanks for your lovely words ❤️ They've really touched me ❤️
P.S. My top tip would be to enter a marathon... Then work backwards and get training! 😃 If it were me I'd choose a trail marathon as then there's usually someone who will feed me biscuits at several points and there's less focus on time and more on enjoyment. Good luck whatever you decide 💕
Wow Nicola that end of video comment. I had a weird premonition about it last week!! Just cooking the Christmas day lunch whilst watching, had to stop and post.. You know we all love you on here right ❤
Have you been on "it's grim up north" run before? Iam doing their event in January,so you get one of those tags? Strange coincidence you mentioned domestic abuse,(bit of a shocker,sooo sorry for you❤),I have been subject to a couple of hours of verbal abuse this evening ,culminating in a palm hit to my forehead.Wasnt sure if I should have made a police report.
Not all of the events have tags. Sometimes it's on the back of your number. It depends, but they'll look after you on the day so don't worry ☺️ I'm sorry you've not had a great evening. Christmas is a hard time of year. Things with Al were hard as he wouldn't leave when I asked him to get out but he's out on bail so I felt I couldn't call the police
I mean I couldn't call them because I loved him and didn't want him to go to prison! But really when he wouldn't leave I should have called them to remove him
@@NicolaRuns Is he on bail for hitting you? or is this a different incident? SO shocked by all this and feeling so sorry for you, please believe you have done the right thing for you and Poppy getting out.
Enjoyed the video followed you via with me now podcast hadn’t really realised you do marathons. How many have you done ? Have a great 2024 sorry you have gone through a tough time but you seem a strong person and have goals set to focus on 🫶
Thanks Ian 😊 I've done over 30 marathons, I'm hoping to get to 40 by August as I want to have run 40 marathons as I'm 40! 😃 I'm a marathon pacer too which I absolutely LOVE! It's so rewarding to help others around 26.2 miles. Trail ultras are my favourite though. Running somewhere beautiful while people feed you?! What's not to love?! 😜😃
@@NicolaRuns keep up the great work I am on a journey to 100 marathons done 94 but not managed any since 2020 hopefully 2024 will be the year I complete what I started way back in 2012
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Aww you are the best Nic Nic. Yey for your knee. Great to see the NYSBB (North Yorks Sailing Bongo Band) out on such a wet day! You deserve to be safe and you done the right thing - no guilt required - go you! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you my lovely ❤️ Yes the shame and embarrassment thing is really weird. I know I made the right decision and that it wasn't my fault but the feelings that surround it are so strange. Oh well... Chalked up to experience and onwards and upwards ☺️
I've been following your channel for around 12 months now. I just wanted to say that after everything you've been through, what an amazing lady, and mother you are. A true inspiration to all.
Oh my goodness Keith, thank you so much. This is such a beautiful comment, I really appreciate you taking the time to write it ❤️
You’re a wonderful woman ! Through all that adversity you’re always smiling. That is one of the main reasons I watch your videos
What a lovely comment, thank you so much ❤️ I think if I wasn't positive then I'd be crushed by all the bad stuff. Life is too short for that so positivity wins... And there's always something that can make you smile 🥰
@@NicolaRuns positive and motivating ! Always keep smiling.
@@arsbrowne I'll certainly try 🤗🤗🤗
Just wanted to say how proud I was watching this video Nicola. Pushing on and finishing in adverse conditions when not at your best is a grand achievement. Love can make anything messy, but physical abuse can never be excused. I'm sorry that you feel shame and embarrassment, but none of it is your fault. Hope that you're doing OK. Well done for getting out of something toxic, and well done for speaking up about it - you are an inspiration. A biscuit, fudge and a chocolate log is my favourite breakfast too 😂
Thank you so much Rich, yes I can totally see how toxic it was now but love can make you blind and break ups are messy and heartbreaking 💔 I know that it's not my fault but Al told me it was and did a slow hand clap and said "well done, look what you made me do" rather than apologising and it all just really messed with my head. I'm looking forward to 2024 and a new start 🥰
Well done for putting your foot down and ending it straight away, it can be so hard to do. And well done knee for making it all the way round the route. Here’s to 2024 being better in all ways!
Thank you so much... I'm not sure I successfully managed to end it immediately in real life but breakups are messy and difficult, it definitely mentally ended that day, even if walking away was harder than I thought it would be... Or actually probably when Al didn't come over to Ireland in the summer for my 40th birthday like we planned without telling me he wasn't coming. I don't know... It's been rubbish for ages. The important thing is that I've moved on now and that this year is going to be better than the last ❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations on this new marathon! Can't even imagine running a marathon with a cold. Much respect for even attempting that. About the other thing, I am so very sorry. Shame and embarrassment should be felt only by the person who hurt you, never by you. Here's hoping that next year will be much brighter for you.
Thank you, yes it's funny because I know this but afterwards he did a slow hand clap and said "Well done, look what you made me do" rather than apologising 😭😭😭 It's so confusing and was something I never thought would happen
You are so strong and brave, well done for walking away. Love your videos, you inspired me to do my first park run this year 😊
Thank you so much and oh my goodness how was it?! I really hope you enjoyed it. Sometimes it can take a few visits to get it, or to meet the right people or get the right weather. Hopefully you got all of that 🤞❤️
Hi Nicola, been following your channel for a couple of years now. I don't often comment but just want to say I think you are an amazing human being and sending you massive hugs🤗🤗🤗
Thank you so much, that's really kind of you and much appreciated 🤗
I don't get to watch many of these but could see the guts and determination you have right through this one from start to finish. You are one heck of a human and great role model for Poppy. So glad you've stood up to the bully - and looking forward to seeing/hearing more of your achievements in 2024!
Thank you so much, it was a hard day at the office but I was so happy to have managed a marathon with no knee pain! 🎉 I definitely needed this boost because breakups are super hard whether you know it's the right thing or not 💔
@@NicolaRuns on a very different scale, I am reminded of smashing out a half-marathon PB not just once, but twice in 3 weeks after a break up many moons ago. Running with purpose is so amazingly cathartic 💛
@@hilfoster oh my goodness well I'm going to take this and try to channel it! That would be amazing! 😍😍😍
Awesome video Nicola! Just catching up on your videos....I took a big internet/social media break and missed your content and positivity! Happy times to you and the Popster for 2024! (Oh....and sorry about the obvious....you're one of the great human beings out there...PEACE!)
Ooh a social media/internet break sounds wonderful. I hope it refreshed you. Happy New Year! Thanks btw... Onwards and upwards 😊
Hi Nicola, been following your videos for a while so one of those people who feel like I know you even though we’ve only crossed paths briefly at Punk Panthers. Also had to deal with abuse in the past and been heartbroken again this year. It’s amazing how many people are around and understand, you’re never alone. Thanks for sharing everythjng you do! Hopefully see you out on the trails in 2024!
I'm really sorry to hear that, it's all too common isn't it. Which is even more reason to talk about it and call out people who treat others in ways that are unacceptable. It sounds like you might be looking forward to 2024 as much as I am! New year, new start, heartbreak left in 2023! Surround ourselves with people that are better for us going forwards. Wishing you happy new year for tomorrow ❤️
I am so sorry to hear about you and Al, I litterally am speachless. Just shows you never can tell what goes on behind closed doors. You have absolutely done the right thing. Be strong, move on when you are ready and live the fanstastic life you and Poppy deserve.
Thank you, yes it's not been easy. Things haven't been good for a really long time, Al is under a lot of pressure with some legal stuff he needs to sort out. Hopefully everything will be okay for him. Nothing excuses what he did but I'm just saying that yes, you definitely don't know what's going on for people. I never ever thought Al was like this, it's been a massive heartbreaking shock to find out and it's really messed with my head. I feel like I don't know who I was with the past 3.5 years. I really hope he learns from this but I worry he won't as apparently he's done the same to previous partners 💔 Onwards and upwards, to 2024 and all of the amazing opportunities it holds! ❤️
Your honesty and strength are inspiring...you have been on my mind today although we've never met and never will. Xx
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. And never say never! You never know 😃🤗
Well done Nicola 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Amazing. Enjoy your 650th parkrun.
Thank you so much 🤗🤗🤗
Well done Nicola, so sorry that you've had such a rough time lately, what a great boost to have completed your marathon with no knee pain, onwards and upwards,
Thanks Debbie, onwards and upwards indeed. I can't wait for a fresh start in 2024 and to put that bad chapter behind me ❤️
Please do not feel any shame and embarrassment, you are a wonderful person and Poppy is so lucky to have you for her mum. Sending you lots of love x
Thank you so much, I know in my heart you're right but Al told me it was my fault... Afterwards he did a slow hand clap and said "look what you made me do" rather than apologising 💔 it's all been really difficult to process. Breakups suck, even when they absolutely need to happen.
Massive, massive hugs to you, Nicola. I hope you and Poppy have had a lovely Christmas.
Thank you so much, we've been with my mum up in Scotland and it's been awesome thanks 🤗
Great run! Bombshell at the end there. Sorry to hear that. It’ll all be ok. Big hugs.
Thank you so much, and thanks for the reassurance. I hope you're right 🤗
Happy New Year World Runner, love and support, Dayne ❤🎉
Thanks and the same to you 🥰🥰🥰
Such an inspiration Nicola, so sorry to hear about your awful experience you don’t deserve that. Keep running there is lots of love out there❤
Thank you ❤️ life has it's ups and downs. I'm concentrating on the fact that it says nothing about me and everything about him. It's been a tough time though that's for sure! I'm happy now I am out of it and can see what it was. It should have ended a very long time ago! 💔
All the best for the new year, Nicola
Thank you so much 😊 and the same to you 😃
Well done Nicola, I love Grim's events, and Hilary is such a legend!
Isn't she just?! She's such a genuine, true inspiration! ❤️❤️❤️
So proud of you. Really powerful message at the end there. Hope you and Poppy had a lovely Christmas. x
Thanks Andy, it's been a tough few months but I'm looking forward to a new start in a new year 😊 roll on 2024 🎉
Good for you Nicola. Modelling strength and fortitude as ever.
Thank you Matt, and thanks for being there for me for chats ☺️
Merry Christmas Nicola, hope you Al and Poppy have a fantastic Christmas 🎅 🎄 another wonderful video along with all the others you’ve uploaded in 2023. Thank you for sharing your adventures and here’s to many more in 2024.
Did you watch the end of the vid?
Thank you. Oops, yes maybe watch until the end. Al and I are no longer together. Wishing you a great Christmas ⛄🎁🎄
Oh I did, how did I miss that, sorry for what’s happened and for my mistake. Feel really bad now. 🙁Take care Nicola and you and Poppy have a fantastic day 🎅
@@tonystrange7224 oh please don't feel bad, it's easily done. Plus no harm done 😊
Oh no , im so sorry that happened to you , how awful as if you havent been through enough . Just try to have the best christmas you can for yourself and Poppy . Im so grateful for all your fun videos this year , lots of love from ireland , come back anytime .
Thank you so much, yeah it's not been great but onwards and upwards. It was a double whammy really because I got injured. I'm thankful to be back running and I'm grateful to have the running community and friends and family 🥰 here's to 2024 ☺️
@@NicolaRuns Good girl , we are behind you all the way , legend 😊
@@bren70ssss94 that means a lot 🤗 and also I'd LOVE to come back to Ireland. It'll always have a special place in my heart after our magical summer 😃
Thank you for a great video, I've not yet run a Grim Event but 2024 is just around the corner. Lots of miles done on that stretch of the canal though :) Thank you more so for sharing your journey with us, with all the ups and downs. Your upbeat attitude and ever present smile bring sunshine into days even if the rain is falling and those around us don't match up to what we hope for. Wishing you and Poppy a Happy Christmas - and a awesome start to the new year.
Thank you so much for such a lovely message. Ooh I'm excited for you for your first event! Which one is it?
@@NicolaRuns I've not pulled the trigger yet, but they do events on Saturday's unlike many other event organisers so just need to find one in a gap and get it booked. 👍
@@Stephen_K I'm the opposite, I can't do Saturdays! I'm sure whichever you pick will be awesome 😃
Well done on another great run! 💪So sorry your relationship ended that way, your strength will inspire many others.
Thank you so much Nicky. Yeah, totally knocked me for six. I never thought I'd be in a situation like that. Not good 💔
What a determined effort under adverse conditions. I thought that I was hardcore because I run in bad weather a couple of times a year, but ‘it’s grim up north’ is on another level.
Sorry to hear about your break up, stay strong.
I hope that you and Poppy have a brilliant Christmas.
Thank you so much 😊 Oh my goodness one of the Punk Panther races I did... I think it was 65 miles, was the worst! I was heavy rain for hours and hours and it's the closest I've ever been to dropping out just because I wasn't enjoying it. Luckily I didn't give up and ended up loving it! 😃
Hi Nicola, sorry to hear you've had such a bad time recently, so sending best Christmas wishes. And you've inspired me to enter the New Forest Marathon (September, so plenty of time to train) something I've been umming and ahhing about because of a long standing injury - which I think is more mental than physical! Oh, and another great video, too!
Yeah thanks, it's not been great. Plus being injured was a double whammy! But onwards and upwards. Oh that's awesome! I'm excited for you. Hope your training goes well 😃
Wow what an accomplishment! When I started to watch I thought your cold was going to get the best of you. Glad the weather got better and things got easier. I think you've run this course before? I seem to recall you running this marathon course before? It definitely looked pretty but I would be worried about falling into the canal. That is awesome that they had veggie sausages at the end. I don't think very many US based races offer that. Things are definitely different in the UK from what I can tell about offerings for vegans and vegetarians. I also love Coke but not sure I could stomach it mid race. Definitely post race... nectar of the gods as far as I am concerned. Loved the video and your candidness at the end. Wishing you and Poppy the best in 2024
Thank you, yes you have a very good memory! I ran the Spring Canal Canter where they use the same course 😃 it's a bit of a different feeling in winter 🤣🌧️🌧️🌧️ I'm so thankful that there is a veggie option afterwards. I remember coming to the US and being offered an empty burger bun as the veggie option 😂😂😂😂😂
Merry Christmas and a happy new Year. You two deserve it 🎉😊
Thank you so much 🤗 the same to you 😃
Another awesome video. Strong and inspiring. Thank you x
Thank you so much 🤗
In so many ways are you courageous: loss, lonliness, physical challenge, and violence - you have overcome them all, kept moving forward, and perhaps by sharing, you have inspired someone else to escape a bad relationship. Is there anything you can't manage? Oh yeah - cows! 😅
Thank you so much John. Al wasn't always like this, just once and it came out of the blue... But once is one too many times! Obviously it was devastating but what can you do but learn from it and move on 🤷🏻♀️ I properly laughed at Oh yeah - cows 🤣🤣🤣 It's funny because it's true! 🤣🤣🤣 😱😱😱🐄🐮🐄🐮🐄😱😱😱
Firstly wow, a marathon with a stinky cold .. And your knee 🎉.. As to the horrid episode.. I feel incredibly angry on your behalf, it's never ever OK to hurt another soul and those that do so are incredibly flawed humans, sadly it does happen and yes one is left bewildered and querying and it is all too easy to go what if I hadn't said, done etc but it is only ever the fault of the abuser.. Time really really is a great healer (clichés are truisms) you deserve only the best xxx wishing you so much joy to come and for now, much peace and self belief, happy Christmas to you and poppy and thankyou so much for keeping me running at times when my own mojo melts x
Thank you so much for such a lovely message. Very wise words and I'll try to listen to them ❤️ And you're right, time is the answer and I can't wait to be in 2024 as I really feel I need a fresh start ❤️
Nicola, I am so sorry you are going through so much at the moment but I am glad you were able to get out of the relationship! Well done on the marathon and I wish you and Poppy a wonderful Christmas and New Year ❤
Thank you so much, it's all on the up now! It's been super tough but... A marathon with no knee pain 🎉 Time which heals a broken heart 🎉 No gaslighting and abuse anymore 🎉 New year with new goals and things to get excited about! 🎉
Sometimes being an eternal optimist can be a really bad thing. I just always believed things would get better 🤷🏻♀️ It took things getting really bad before I knew I needed to get out of it and now I look back I feel really silly for not leaving sooner. It was an extremely toxic relationship 💔
Onwards and upwards ❤️😃❤️
@NicolaRuns I completely understand this! When I wrote my initial message I thought about putting something like "stay positive" or something along those lines but I didnt because although I do not know you personally, you always seem so positive and upbeat but sometimes it is okay to not be that person and to reflect on what is really happening and to feel down about thing. It helps us deal better with what is really happening.
You have a lot of exciting things to look forward to and I am so glad you have pain free running to help with clarity and mental health 🙌 it really is the best medicine.
You really seem like such an amazing and wonderful person, and I wish you nothing but happiness and love ❤️
@@TheShazzawebb thank you, these are very wise and lovely words and I really appreciate them 💓
Ironic isn't it?! Being positive and optimistic can keep you in a really crap situation 🙈 I've learnt a lot to take forward though 🤗
Thank you so much for your kind words 🥰
Well done, Njc - you're brilliant.
Awww thank you ☺️☺️☺️
Lots of 💛💛💛
Thanks Josh 🤗😊
Brill video again, so sorry to hear about your split but you did the right thing, no one needs that in life!!! Was really shocked. Hope you and Pops have a wonderful xmas and new year, just time to move on, much love xxx
Thank you so much my lovely. Yes it was a total shock. Al is under a lot of pressure. He's on bail at the moment so is very very stressed and has so much going on. He really needs his sentencing hearing to be over so that he can get himself in a better place. I'm worried about him but it doesn't excuse his behaviour. He is a very toxic human but I needed to be out of it before I could see it. Obviously I still have a lot of love for him. It's all very difficult and confusing and heartbreaking 💔 I can't wait for the new year, you're right, I need a new start
Bless you darlin hope things improve for him and he gets in a better place, all best wishes for 2024, someone else will be around the corner, someone who deserves you xx
@@ChingolaChick-tz3dx thank you so much. I hope things get better for both of us. We're definitely better apart 🤷🏻♀️
Defo by the sounds of it!!!!😞
Survivor 💪 happy Christmas
Happy Christmas ⛄🎁🎄
The Grim branding was certainly on point for this event!
I also broke up with my long term partner a couple of months ago. I can't really imagine how frightening your experience must have been though.
Focusing on self care and cherishing other social connections are my aims for the near future. Along with eating some cake 🙂
Thanks Richard, that sounds like a solid plan. Sorry you've had a tough time too 💔
Inspirational, not just what you did on the canal but removing yourself from a situation from your ex partner you should never have been in. Shame and embarrassment is on them. Over time when you start to heal I hope you realise how strong you were and feel pride in that. Keep up the good work on the channel and in life generally. If we were all a bit more Nic Nic the world would be a better place.
Thank you so much. This is such a lovely comment, I'll try to take all that on board 🤗 It's not been a good few months, I've definitely struggled but I am excited for 2024 to be a new chapter 😃
@@NicolaRuns absolutely. 2024 is your year for you doing what you want to do with people you want to be with. Life is too short. Explore, Experience, Enjoy (and video it for us who can't be with you 😁)
@@adriansaunders7392 I love this Adrian and plan to do exactly this 🤗
Well done on achieving an amazing marathon when you had a cold. You showed your determination after many difficult this is inspiring and well done you should be proud of yourself. Have you ever run an abroad marathon and what your favourite food to eat in a marathon
Thank you so much 🤗 I've only done Cologne marathon on a club trip but loved it! Ooh... Favourite food is probably Cadburys chocolate 🤣 it's not practical though 🤣
@@NicolaRuns would you like to try and juggle a marathon like that man
@@bertiepowell3027 I'd LOVE to... I can't even juggle standing still though 🙈🤣
Relationships come and go, we've all been there....stay strong 🙂
Thank you, I'm trying 😊 breakups really suck don't they?! 💔
Hey Nic,
Great video, as normal. I love the name of this run. You sound a little breathy. Ah! Its because you have a cold! Love the 'Amazing' after Starter Steve. You will smash the five in five!! I love arm sleeves. Did you find out what that loud bang was? Juggling all the way!!! WOW!!! and just as I wondered what was on his head, you said it was a tiger!
Glad that you are feeling a little better. What pod did you put on? Stu would love it, if it was RiBS, lol. You are making a training run look easy, especially with a dodgy knee.
Cake is awesome!!
Well Done NIC!!!! That was such a ill sounding 'thank you'!
Oh Nic!! I'm so sorry to hear that! You are such an amazing person and a wonderful friend. Have a very Merry Christmas Nic!!!
I didn't put a pod on in the end, I just sat with my thoughts ❤️ I hope you have the best Christmas Drew 🤗 hope to run with you sometime next year ☺️
Was the boat on the canal a dragon boat? They use the drum to keep those on the oars moving in time together.
Ooh maybe?! It didn't look much like one but I'm not an expert. I thought rowing with a drum looked super fun! 😃
💔 Do you think the moral of the story is never to trust anyone who needs to win the parkrace? 😉 I don’t really mean to make light of it. This is further proof that you are an incredibly strong woman. It must be so hard to get out of a situation like that, but so necessary. I hope this hasn’t spoilt the wonderful things you did in 2023, but I also hope the New Year brings better things for you. You deserve them. Love to you and to Poppy. 💛💛
Penny this made me laugh so much! Thank you ❤️ I think that's the exact moral! 😂😂😂 It totally hasn't spoiled 2023's adventures. It probably made them better as I paid for Al to come on 2 of our holidays and he didn't come. He then didn't bother coming to visit us in Ireland for my 40th birthday, or bother getting me a present or doing anything nice for me when we got back. He just kept saying things like "What sort of person would leave their partner for 3 months?" 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ I'm thankful that he didn't come on any of our adventures as that would have definitely spoilt them with his negativity. As it is it was just me and my girl exploring the world and that makes me happy and proud ❤️ The breakup has been really difficult as although things were crap then it still came out of the blue as I never thought for a second that Al would get physically aggressive. It really messed with my head but time is a great healer. I just hope it doesn't effect my ability to trust people going forwards 🤞
@@NicolaRuns I’m glad you thought it was funny - I was a bit worried saying it on social media to someone I don’t really know. What you’re describing sounds like coercive control - toxic AF. Keep on walking. I too hope it doesn’t affect your ability to trust other people - but at least you know you can trust yourself to get out if it’s bad. 💛
@@pennysimpson2777 thank you, I've 95% walked but can still see him in my rear view mirror. I just need to work on that last little bit ❤️❤️❤️
@@NicolaRuns glad you have lots of love and support around you. 💛
💪
Thanks ☺️
I'd guess dragon boat racing if theres a drum.
I was going to ask them when they came back past but they didn't! 🙃
Been dreaming about a veggie sausage for 2 hours 😂
Thank goodness for the word veggie hey?! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@NicolaRuns 😂
Lovely lovely Nic - what a fab video! I would love to do a marathon someday, maybe for 26th birthday coming up in 2024?!
The ‘other thing’ sucks, and I really want you to know how much I respect you for leaving. I’m not going to get into it but there have been situations in my life where I haven’t been good at setting or sustaining boundaries, and having people modelling that is amazing. You should have NO shame or embarrassment - relationships are all about getting to know people deeply, and sometimes that hurts or you discover things you don’t like. Love just hurts sometimes.
As an aside, I want you also to know how much your vlogs, pods, grams and general positivity improves my life. Recently I’ve found myself thinking ‘what would Nicola think about this?’ whenever I’m in a particularly beautiful place or want to see the best in something. You are wonderful at bringing out the joy in the little things, and even just to ‘know ‘you over the internet has made me a more positive person.
Sending love and good thoughts to you and Poppy for a fantastic 2024! Xx
Oh Olivia, this is such a lovely comment it made me cry 😢 but in a sort of happy, sad, lovely way. It's been really tough as after Al got physical he did a slow hand clap and said in a really horrible way "Well done, look what you made me do" and whilst I know it's all nonsense and just his manipulation/gaslighting of me, it really did effect me mentally. Mainly because nobody has ever been close to treating me as badly as Al did and it just didn't make any sense to my brain. I am an eternal optimist and I think that let me down in that relationship. I kept thinking that things would change and that he'd wake up and want to try to work together and make things better. In a way I'm glad he snapped and showed his true colours as the rest of his toxic behaviour wasn't quite enough to make me realise that I needed to get out of it. I still have a lot of love for him which confuses me but I think it's natural and that breakups are hard 🤷🏻♀️ I've really tried to focus on carrying on having adventures, although taking Poppy to Pont-y-Bala was one of them and was a total disaster 😂😂😂 Life isn't always smooth sailing hey?! I definitely think its worth taking a moment to see the best in things, it is so good for your soul ❤️ Life is so exciting if you let it be, and if you appreciate the small things and don't follow the "rules" of what is expected of adults. I don't know whose idea it was that adults should be sensible?! Poppy teaches me a lot about how to have fun and live in the moment. Thanks for your lovely words ❤️ They've really touched me ❤️
P.S. My top tip would be to enter a marathon... Then work backwards and get training! 😃 If it were me I'd choose a trail marathon as then there's usually someone who will feed me biscuits at several points and there's less focus on time and more on enjoyment. Good luck whatever you decide 💕
Wow Nicola that end of video comment. I had a weird premonition about it last week!! Just cooking the Christmas day lunch whilst watching, had to stop and post.. You know we all love you on here right ❤
Oh my goodness, that's so strange! Sometimes the world can be funny like that can't it! Thanks for posting. I hope you had a wonderful Xmas lunch 😊
Have you been on "it's grim up north" run before?
Iam doing their event in January,so you get one of those tags?
Strange coincidence you mentioned domestic abuse,(bit of a shocker,sooo sorry for you❤),I have been subject to a couple of hours of verbal abuse this evening ,culminating in a palm hit to my forehead.Wasnt sure if I should have made a police report.
Not all of the events have tags. Sometimes it's on the back of your number. It depends, but they'll look after you on the day so don't worry ☺️ I'm sorry you've not had a great evening. Christmas is a hard time of year. Things with Al were hard as he wouldn't leave when I asked him to get out but he's out on bail so I felt I couldn't call the police
I mean I couldn't call them because I loved him and didn't want him to go to prison! But really when he wouldn't leave I should have called them to remove him
@@NicolaRuns At least we are not in Gaza.
@@alanrobinson2229 so true, what is happening there is beyond belief. I don't know what else to say other than that humans can be horrific
@@NicolaRuns Is he on bail for hitting you? or is this a different incident? SO shocked by all this and feeling so sorry for you, please believe you have done the right thing for you and Poppy getting out.
Enjoyed the video followed you via with me now podcast hadn’t really realised you do marathons. How many have you done ? Have a great 2024 sorry you have gone through a tough time but you seem a strong person and have goals set to focus on 🫶
Thanks Ian 😊 I've done over 30 marathons, I'm hoping to get to 40 by August as I want to have run 40 marathons as I'm 40! 😃 I'm a marathon pacer too which I absolutely LOVE! It's so rewarding to help others around 26.2 miles. Trail ultras are my favourite though. Running somewhere beautiful while people feed you?! What's not to love?! 😜😃
@@NicolaRuns keep up the great work I am on a journey to 100 marathons done 94 but not managed any since 2020 hopefully 2024 will be the year I complete what I started way back in 2012
@@ianpullen5471 oh wow! That's impressive! Good luck and fingers crossed 🤞☺️